Acer, HP Prep New Chromebooks for Students and Teachers
Some of the upcoming Chromebooks will use newly launched Celeron processors from Intel. Expect them to arrive in the coming weeks and months.
By Michael Kan
Facing the surging demand for laptops, Acer and HP today announced a total of nine Chromebook models designed for students and teachers.
The laptops run Google’s Chrome OS and will arrive in the coming weeks and months, with prices as low as $299. Both PC makers are marketing the products to schools and to parents looking for hardware designed for remote education amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
HP’s New Chromebooks
HP Chromebook 11MK G9 EE and x360 11MK G3 EE
These 11-inch laptops arrive this month, and use the MT8183, an 8-core processor that Taiwanese vendor MediaTek released in late 2019. The x360 11MK G3 model can also flip into a tablet, thanks to its 360-degree hinge. In addition, both models boast a 16-hour battery life.
The laptops have pretty barebones specs, though. You’re getting only two USB 2.0 ports (Type A and C), 1,366-by-768-pixel resolution screens and 720p web cameras. There also doesn’t appear to be any HDMI slots. But HP says both products can survive a 2.5-foot drop on concrete and water spills on their keyboards.
HP Chromebook 14 G7 and HP Chromebook 11 G9 EE
These models arrive next month; the 14 G7 is designed for teachers. Instead of MediaTek, they use new Celeron processors from Intel with either the N5100 or N4500 chips. This 14-inch laptop also comes with Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, an HDMI slot, faster USB 3.0 ports, and a “wide angle HD webcam.”
Meanwhile, the 11 G9 EE is basically a more powerful version of the 11MK G9 EE. The laptop swaps out the MediaTek silicon for Intel’s new Celeron N5100 or N4500 chips. You’re also getting Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 and faster USB 3.0 ports.
HP Chromebook x360 11 G4 EE
If you want a convertible version, consider the HP Chromebook x360 11 G4 EE, which has a 360-degree hinge. It’s slated to go on sale in March.
HP is still determining the pricing for these products. But based on the specs, we expect some of the Chromebooks to cost around $300.
Acer’s New Chromebooks
Acer Chromebook 311 and Chromebook 511
The company is preparing the Chromebook 311, which will be available in North America some time this month starting at $299. This 11-inch laptop also uses an MT8183 processor from MediaTek and is designed for students from K through 12.
The Chromebook 511 will use a processor from Qualcomm’s 7c compute platform. It’ll arrive later in April and cost $399. The company hasn’t released full specs for either product, but both laptops are promised to run for up to 20 hours on a single battery charge. The laptops have also been designed to survive water spills and falls on concrete.
Acer Spin 512 and Spin 511
The other two products, the Spin 512 and the Spin 511, are laptop convertibles that arrive in April. They’ll use Intel’s new Celeron N5100 and N4500 processors, and come with antimicrobial coating on the display and keyboards.
The main difference between the models is how the Spin 512 has a larger 12-inch screen with a 3:2 aspect ratio. The Spin 511, meanwhile, has an 11.6-inch panel in the 16:9 format.
“Both Chromebooks feature mechanically anchored keys that are difficult to remove and easy to replace, ideal for education settings,” the company added. “The quickly serviceable keyboards are spill-resistant with a gutter system that routes up to 330 ml (11 fluid ounces) of water away from internal components to be drained out the bottom of the chassis.”
The Spin 512 will start at $429 while the 511 will go for $399.
Originally published at https://www.pcmag.com.
